Man arrested over stabbing death of Scots Guardsman honoured for bravery in Iraq

A MAN has been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of a soldier honoured for bravery in Iraq, police said today.

A MAN has been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of a soldier honoured for bravery in Iraq, police said today.

Paul McGee, 28, died in hospital yesterday after an incident in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire.

Police said a 28-year-old man was being held in connection with his death.

Guardsman McGee, who served with the Scots Guards in Iraq, was found injured in the town's McConnell Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The soldier, who had been working to recruit youngsters into the Scots Guard, was taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where he died a short time later.

Guardsman McGee was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery in July 2008 after he reportedly risked his life trying to save comrade Stephen Ferguson while on a tour of duty in Iraq.

Guardsman Ferguson, 31, of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, originally from Lanarkshire, was travelling in a Warrior armoured vehicle on a routine patrol near Basra city in December 2007 when it slid into a canal while manoeuvring in the dark.

Guardsman McGee and other soldiers freed him from the vehicle and gave first aid. He was flown back to the UK for medical treatment but later died from his injuries.

A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "A 28-year-old man has been arrested and is presently detained in police custody in connection with the death of 28-year-old Paul McGee.

"Paul, who was from the Lochwinnoch area of Renfrewshire, was found injured in McConnell Road, Lochwinnoch around 1.25am on Sunday.

"He was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital but died a short time later."

A post-mortem examination was being carried out as part of the inquiry into the young man's death, Strathclyde Police said.